A corneal infection, or keratitis, occurs when the cornea is damaged by a foreign object, by bacteria or by fungi from a contaminated contact lens. Keratitis can cause painful inflammation and lead to corneal scarring.

Diabetic retinopathy refers to any damage that occurs to the eye’s retina in conjunction with long-term diabetes. (Retinopathy refers to any non-inflammatory disease of the retina.) Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness among American adults.

Glaucoma is a general term for a family of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve. The optic nerve is located in the back of the eye and relays information from the eye to the brain. Elevated pressure inside the eye creates stress on the optic nerve and if it is damaged, vision loss occurs.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss in Americans who are 60 or older. Macular degeneration damages a person’s central vision, which is needed to see objects clearly, read and drive. Without clear vision, a person can become incapable of completing daily tasks effectively or independently.

When skin cancer is near your eyes, it is called periocular skin cancer. Skin cancer can arise from any of the types of cells in your skin. The most common form is basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Both basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma are relatively slow growing.

Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD) is a common eye condition where the vitreous separates from the retina. Normally the vitreous, the clear gel-like substance within the eye, is in direct contact with the retina. As the eye ages, the vitreous tends to get more liquid, so PVD is a normal part of the aging process.

Pterygium (pronounced tur-IJ-ee-um) is a common eye condition that affects people who spend a lot of time outdoors. Pterygium is also known as surfer’s eye because of its common occurrence in surfers. Individuals with pterygium have a growth of pink, fleshy tissue on the white of the eye. This growth usually forms on the side of the eye closest to the nose.

Most common vision problems are caused by refractive errors – the eye’s inability to focus, or refract, light correctly on the retina (the light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eye). Refractive disorders are usually the result of an eyeball that is too short or too long, a cornea (the clear front part of your eye) that is irregularly shaped or a lens that is curved too much or too little.

The retina is the light-sensitive layer of tissue that lines the inside of the eye, sending visual messages through the optic nerve to the brain. When detached, the retina is lifted or pulled from its normal position.

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is a rare, serious disorder of the skin and mucous membranes. SJS can cause serious eye problems, such as severe conjunctivitis; iritis, an inflammation inside the eye; corneal blisters and erosions; and corneal holes. In some cases it can lead to severe vision loss.